Harald Ertl’s BMW M1

During the early 80s Harald Ertl, an Austrian journalist and race car driver decided to break 300kmph in a BMW M1. The stock car couldn’t do it so Ertl, backed by BP, turned to Gustav Hoecker Sportwagen-Service GmbH to add twin turbochargers, that would push the 3.5-litre straight-six to produce about 410 bhp. The exterior was altered for better aerodynamics and cooling. On October 17, 1981, Ertl reached 301.4 km/h, or 187.3 mph. His uniquely modified BMW M1 was stowed away from public eyes for a long time, but has now reappeared as part of the sale at Coy’s during Techno Classica Essen.